Nemanja Vidic knows only too well the folly of Bill Shankly’s famous quote of football being more important than life and death.

The Serbia-born Manchester United skipper grew up in a war zone during the Balkans conflict, waiting for air raids to cease before he and his brother could emerge from hiding to kick a ball about on the streets.

Vidic, who only managed to escape the army draft because he played for Red Star Belgrade, suffered personal tragedy when his best friend Vladimir Dimitrijevic died of a heart attack on the pitch, aged just 20, when the pair were playing together.

Such trauma and experiences have given Vidic a perspective on life beyond the scope of many modern-day footballers.

And the defender spoke to the Mirror with eloquence and sincerity ahead of Sunday’s powderkeg encounter between United and arch-rivals Liverpool.

Ahead of what is certain to be an emotionally-charged meeting between English football’s biggest rivals, Vidic acknowledged the suffering of both clubs and admitted that both sets of fans will be on trial.

“Football is important, but it is never more important than life, any life,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in England, Serbia or any part of the world.

“Over the years, English fans have come across well in terms of their respect towards many tragedies.

“But I think we have a test again.

Darkest day: Those killed at Hillsborough will be remembered on Sunday (Image: Allsport)

"Manchester United fans are always an example of how they should behave - at Old Trafford, many times they have shown how they have respect for other teams and respect for their own club as well.

“So I don’t have doubts that there will be a great atmosphere, a good mood and they will support their players [at Anfield].

“There is a lot of history with these two clubs. We have some history, some tragedies. They have as well. I think we should respect each other because we are big clubs who are respected around the world.

“We have to show an example, be on top of the bad situation and behave well.”

With an estimated global TV audience of 500million expected to watch in 211 countries, Vidic knows the eyes of the world will be on Anfield, and acknowledged that the players - just as much as the fans - will be under the microscope.

“I am aware of the sensitivity of the day,” he said. “Everybody is, and I think our fans will respond well.

“The whole country is on trial in this one. All over the world they will be watching this game.

“It’s probably the biggest derby in the world and we have to show we are capable of keeping a good atmosphere and setting a good example.

“The fans have a big role as well. Both clubs have a history and we’re both respected around the world. We have to keep it like that.

“It’s difficult to control all the fans, but I think most of them are aware of the responsibility. On the pitch we have to take responsibility and play football.

“After this game, everyone should be talking about the football, and that’s all. I hope that will be the case.”

Death of a team: Manchester United players perished in Munich in 1958 (Image: PA)

Vidic has not enjoyed his encounters with Liverpool, having been shown three red cards - including two at Anfield - in recent seasons, while United have suffered four defeats and a draw in their last five visits there.

“Two or three times I’ve had two yellow cards against them,” said Vidic. “It’s always a good atmosphere over there.

“But I think the referees are under big pressure because the stadium is tight and it’s hostile.

“We haven’t had great results there recently, but we’ve had good results in the past, important results.

“In the last few years we’ve gone there when we’ve been chasing the title and they’re always behind us.

“Sometimes that game, for them, is everything and it’s to prove to everyone they are [still] a good team - they go up against United to show they are good players and maybe they are stronger because of that.

“Maybe we should be thinking the same and go there to prove we are a good team. We have to this time.

“It will be competitive.

"We have to respect each other, obviously, but we also have to play football.”

'Sunday is not about Suarez and Evra'

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has told his team-mates to forget the Luis Suarez affair and focus on beating ­Liverpool.

Vidic is determined that no outside issues, including last season’s feud between Suarez and Patrice Evra, will get in the way of honouring the memory of the Hillsborough victims after the release last week of the independent report.

“If they shake hands, they shake hands. I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world," he said.

“It’s important to not do any stupid things in the game, to go there and play football. It’s what we dream of – to play that derby and for it to be all about the football, not about the fighting or any other things.”

And Vidic is mindful that he and his fellow United players have a huge responsibility because of the backdrop to the game.

He added: “We have a theme, what happened in history about the fans, and we have to respect that day.

“Obviously we cannot come with any other issues, we will just go to play football. It’s not about one player, Suarez, it’s about the team.”